Rewards of Autumn

Autumn has crept up on summer, Much as age has crept on me. Without announcement, without fan-fare, All the evidence I see. The sunrise is a little later, Sunset is earlier each day. Geese are arriving from the Northlands, Settling in as if to stay. They are coming for the leavings After harvesting is done. Before long we’ll see the hunters Camouflaged to have some fun. I hang up my gardening hoe, I have put garden to bed. I’ll rest and read seed catalogs As new plantings fill my head. Goodbye to the heat of summer. Milder days have come to please. Now that the harvest is all finished. Farmer and gardener take their ease.